Calderdale firefighter’s top tips on how to stay safe this bonfire night

Fifteen bonfires had to be extinguished in Calderdale last year

Published:12:00Friday 04 November 2016

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West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to play it safe by going to an organised bonfire and firework display this year.

Last year firefighters extinguished 248 fires outdoors between November 1 and 9, with 15 in the Calderdale area. These included anything from grass fires to wheelie bins and rubbish.

WYFRS support staff are already pounding the pavements alongside council teams in a bid to clear the streets of anything which arsonists might set alight and prevention staff have educated children in a number of schools of the dangers associated with fire and fireworks.

Chris Kirby, Area Manager for Fire Safety, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the bonfire season responsibly and we believe organised bonfires and firework displays are the safest option.

“A great deal of work goes into preparing neighbourhoods for the bonfire period, in order to clear any potential fuel for arsonists. Fires in the open don’t only post a serious risk to the public, but they also take our crews away from other potentially life-threatening incidents.”

Calderdale District Prevention Manager, Toby May, said: “When handled inappropriately, fireworks are explosives which burn at extremely high temperatures and have the potential to cause serious injuries and can even be fatal.

“There is also a real danger around the use of fireworks when intoxicated, so we would urge people to avoid drinking whilst in charge of a bonfire or fireworks. It’s much safer and easier to attend a local planned event within Calderdale.”

Here are the fire service’s top tips on staying safe this bonfire night:

Keep bonfires small and manageable and build them away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and bushes